Govt Issues Advisory For Those Travelling To Cambodia For Jobs, Says 'Indian Nationals Coerced To Undertake Online Scams'

In its advisory, the MEA said that it has come to its attention that Indian nationals are lured by fake promises of lucrative job opportunities in Cambodia. 

New Delhi: The Centre issued an advisory on Thursday for all Indian nationals who intend to visit Cambodia for employment and said that they should do so only through authorised agents. In the advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the people should also do a thorough check of the background of prospective employers in Cambodia.

The MEA said that it has come to its attention that Indian nationals, lured by fake promises of lucrative job opportunities in Cambodia, are falling into the trap of human traffickers. 

"It has come to attention that Indian nationals, lured by fake promises of lucrative job opportunities in Cambodia, are falling into the trap of human traffickers. These Indian nationals are coerced to undertake online financial scams and other illegal activities," the MEA said in its advisory.

"Indian nationals intending to visit Cambodia for employment are cautioned to do so only through authorized agents. It is also advised that the background of the prospective employer in Cambodia is checked thoroughly. In the meantime, Ministry of External Affairs, through our Mission in Phnom Penh, is working closely with the Cambodian authorities to address the issue as well as provide continuous assistance to the affected Indian nationals," the advisory further stated.

On Saturday, the MEA had said that the Union government is actively collaborating with Cambodian authorities, resulting in the “rescue and repatriation” of around 250 people. Of these 250 individuals, 75 were repatriated within the last three months, as stated by the MEA in a statement.

"We have seen media reports on Indian nationals stuck in Cambodia. Our Embassy in Cambodia has been promptly responding to complaints from Indian nationals who were lured with employment opportunities to that country but were forced to undertake illegal cyber work," stated the MEA.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, quoted in the statement, emphasised the close collaboration with Cambodian authorities leading to the rescue and repatriation of these individuals. "Collaborating closely with Cambodian authorities, it has rescued and repatriated about 250 Indians, of which 75 in just the last three months," Jaiswal was quoted as saying in the statement.